Sliding window-glass support



E- W- M. BAILEY SLIDING WINDOW GLASS SUPPORT Filed April 5, 1924 Patented Dec. 25,

PATIENT 1 OFFICE.

EDWIN W. I. BAILEY, Q1 AKESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

SLIDING WINDOW-GLASS SUPPORT.

Application filed April 3,

This invention relates to means for supporting and guiding sliding w ndow glass plates in automobile bodies, dev ces for this general purpose being disclosed in my PI'IOI Patent #1,374,629, of April 1-2, 1921, and in my pending application Serial No. 502,333, these devices being designed for use in connection with glass plates which are not mounted in a wooden or metal frame and are to be distinguished from glass setting devices in which the glass plate does not slide.

In practice the glass plates are usually cut to the required size b machines, which produce sections of practically exact uniformity, so far as length and width is concerned, altho, where such machines are not employed,

'variations of these dimensions are likely to occur. In all instances however, the cutting operation leaves sharp corners of rough, jagged edges, which it has been customary to remove or obliterate by a grinding operation, so that the edge, instead of being square, will be rounded. performing this operation, the workman holds the glass plate in his hands against a grinding wheel, and, as it is a free hand operation, it is frequently inaccurately performed. As a result, the corners are frequently ground too much and the width is sometimes unnecessarily reduced. The operaton is also expensive, so far as the labor item is concerned, and it has frequently been diflicult to secure workmen who are willing to perform this work.

In most instances the glass used for automobile body windows varies in thickness and in many instances mill run glass is used, in which the variations in thickness is considerable. As a' result a corresponding range of adjustment of the channel guides is necessary, which calls for the exercise of a considerable degree of care to enable the glass to be frictionally engaged with the desired degree of force. While lubrication of the frictional surface is sometimes desirable, it is not practicable where one of the surfaces is of glass.

Although variations in width of the glass is unlikely to occur, except when it is not machine cut and when the edge is ground unnecessarily, yet the effect of width variation occurs when the casing is not constructed in exact accordance with the plans. As such 1924. Serial N0. 703,934.

constructional variations sometimes occur, it is desirable to be able to provide for such variations.

The objects of my invention are to provide a suitable means whereby the necessity of the finishing or grinding operation on the edge of the plate, above described, may be omitted, and which shall be less expensive than this operation, and is adapted to be employed in connection with a inetal guide strip or channel so that adjustments which may benecessary on account of variations in thickness of the glass, will be at least very slight, and in most instances will be unnecessary, and a uniform sliding fit may be readily secured. Also to provide supporting and guiding means for the glass having the above described functions, which permit limited variation in the width of the glass, or in the window casing, to be compensated for.

I accomplish these objects by providing a strip of resilient or partly resilient sheet metal which is bent transversely to form a spring clip adapted to embrace the edge portion of the glass and form a finished edge, or edge molding therefor, and which is held by its resilience in firm engagement with the sides of the glass irrespective of its width and, at the same time, provides metal guiding surfaces adapted for engagement with metal guideways, which are mounted in thewindow casing, to enable an accurate sliding fit between the lass and easing to'be secured, which will give the desired degree of fric tional engagement.

For a more complete and detailed description of my invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a sliding window glass and its casing, partly in section at line :v v.of Fig. 2, of an bodiment of; my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view at line 31- 3 of 1, and on an enlarged scale.

igs. 3 to 9 inclusive are sectional views, similar to Fig. 2, showing various modified forms of. guiding means which I may employ in connection therewith.

In the drawing A indicates the window casing which is provided with the usual channel groove or rabbet in which the Window glass sheet B is to slide.

According to my invention I provide a strip of resilient sheet metal which is bent transversely into a U-form to provide a laterally elongated clip which is formed from the middle portion of the strip and which comprises a cylindrically shaped spring or body portion 1, which extends thru approximately'three fourths of a complete circumference, so that, considered with relation to the middle line of the strip, the opposite portions extend divergently and then convergently in an are having its center on said line. These converging portions are then curved reversely and extended, in equidistant relation to said middle line, into close proximity, from which point they diverge in the same curve, forminga relatively narrow neck portion 2, the sides of which extend thru approximately a semi-circumference and form oppositely disposed recesses or grooves in the sides of the clip. The diverging portions of the neck portion 2 are then curved reversely and extended obliquely outward with relation to said middle line and away from the cylindrical portion 1, to form abutment portions 3, as hereafter described, from -which point the curved formation is continued reversely, first divergently and then convergently to form clamping portions 4, the extreme end portions of which are inturned toform engaging portions 5. In the process of manufacture, the resilient portions 1, 2and 3 are so set that the edges of the portions 5 are normally held at a distance which is somewhat less than the minimum thickness of the glass plates in connection with what it is to be used, the variations in practice usually being from to 5%. In Fig. 2, the set position of the clip is indicated in full lines;

In applying the clip to glass plate, the clamping members 4 are forced apart sufiiciently to permit the insertion of the edge portion of the plate between said members and the clip is forced thereon until the edge of the plate engages the abutment portions 3, as indicated by the dotted line positions in Fig. 2. It is to be "particularly noted that the reversely curved sections forming the abutment portions '3', are somewhat resilient and form a part of the resilient support of the clamping portions 4 and are so arranged that-as the latter are spread apart, so that the semi-circularly curved por tions 2 are "slightly separated and the cylindrically formed portion 1 is slightly distended, the points on the inner surfaces of said portions 3, which are engaged by the corners of the glass plate when inserted, will successively lie approximately in a straight line, as zz, which is perpendicular to the middle plane of the clip so that whatever the thickness of the plate, within the ordinary commercial limits, the edge of the glass will engage the portions 3 at a practically constantdistance from the center of the cylin- Where the glass is to slide vertically, as is I the usual practice, both vertical edges will be provided with one of these moldings or clips, as above described, and, when in position, will provide parallel guiding surfaces which are adapted to be slidably engaged by metal guideways mounted in the casing groove. Various forms of metal strip guides or channels may be employed in this connection, several of which are hereinafter described.

In Fi 2 a form is shown similar to the specific form of window glass channel shown in my said pending application, except that the'bottom cushion is omitted, as it is unnecessary. Said channel comprises a strip of resilient sheet metal bent in U-form, providing converging side portions 6, having their edge portions rolled into cylindrical form to provide edge beads 7, which act as guide ways, said channel is set into the casing groove, or rabbet and secured therein by means of screws. The cylindrical bodyportion 1 of the clip is then forced into this channel, so

that the cylindrically shaped edge beads 7 engage in the grooved, or neck portions 2, as shown in Fig. 2. Guidin grooves formed of metal, for receiving the ed guide ways of the channel, are thus provided in lieu of a flat glass surface, so that the glass Will be accurately guided and yet will be somewhat yieldably held against flatwise horizontal movement. As the frictional surfaces are of metal, when lubricated they will retain the lubricant for a considerable period. While the neck portion 2 will be spread to some extent in opening the clamping portions from the position for holding a plate of minimum thickness to the position for holding one of maximum thickness, yet this extent is relatively small, as compared with the extent at the point of engagement with the glass, so that slight, if any readjustment of the guideways of the channel is necessary in order that the desired degree of force of frictional en gagement may be secured, and, ordinarily no adjustment will be necessary. The surface of the cylindrically formed guide ways 7 may be made to conform exactly in curvature to the external curvature of the neck portion 2, or the curvature may be made on a somewhat smaller radius as shown, so that only a relatively small portion of the surface will be engaged. I

While it is desirable to have the edge of the glass seat against the abutment portions 3, which it does when there is no error in construction or cutting, yet if error should oc- .ness of the tions 9 having inwardly turned end portions 10 which are oppositely curved to form concave faces corresponding to the external surface of the cylindrically shaped portion 1,

the. edges of the end portions 10 terminating in proximity to each other atthe inner side of said cylindrical portion. With this construction the frictional engagement is confined to surfaces on the clip which are but slightly separated when the clamping portions thereof are forced apart, so that practically no adjustment will be necessary from a standard clonstruction, whatever the thickg ass.

While the form of Fig. 3 is desirable for several reasons, and particularly because it is not diflicult to manufacture, it is open to the objection, under some conditions, in that it does not sufliciently cover the outer portions of the sides of the rabbet or casing groove, and, in Fig. 4, a modification of the form shown in Fig. 3 is shown which obviates this objection. In this form the sides 11 of the channel are formed to lie against the sides of the casing groove, and extend to the outer edge thereof and then are bent reversely, forming cylindrical portions 12, and are extended inward convergently to form yieldable portions 13, the extreme edge portions- 14 thereof bein bent into are shaped form to provide gui eways for engagement with opposite sides of the cylindrically shaped molding portion 1. The action is not sub stantially different from that already deicribed with reference to the form shown in In Fig. 5 a modified form of the construction shown in Fig. 4 is illustrated, which is the same as that shown in Fig. 4, except that the end portions of the yieldable portions 15, corresponding to the portions 13, are bent to provide convex guideways 16, which conform to the transversely concave grooves at the neck portion 2 of the molding.

In Fig. 6 a sim lified, form of channel is shown, which is a apted to be secured to one side of the casing ve, instead of to the bottom, so that variations in width of glass or casing may be exactly compensated for by inward or outward adjustment. In this form the strip is folded nearly double, pro- Viding a fixed supporting side portion 17, an intermediate spring portion 18, and a yieldable side portion 19. The side portion 17 has a concave guideway 20, adapted to conform to one side of the cylindrical portion 1 of the clip and the other side portion 19 has a similarly formed guideway 21 adapted to engage and conform to the opposite side of said portion 1. The side portion 17 is attached to the side of the groove, or rabbet by screws, as 22, apertures being formed in the opposite side portion 19 to permit access to the screws. Inthis form the channel may be laterally adjusted on the side 'of the casing groove to and from its bottom, according to the width of the glass plate and casing and then it may be.

secured in position, so that the guideways and the surfaces which they engage will be exactly positioned with relation to each other. The extent of the force of frictional engagement between these surfaces will depend on the tension of the spring portion 18.

In Fig. 7 a somewhat similar construction, to that of Fig. 6, is shown, which comprises side portions 23 and 24 having concave guideways 25 and 26 for the opposite sides of the cylindrical portion 1. In this instance screws as 27, are arranged to engage the outermost side portion 24. and to pass through the other side portion into the wood, so that the engaging faces thereof may be held in as close engagement with the cylindrical portion 1 as may be considered desirable, whereby the desired force of frictional engagement between the relatively sliding parts may be secured.

In Figs.'8 and 9 two forms'of channel are shown, which are primarily designed for use in connection with the bottom and top of glass plates which are arranged to slide hori zontally, but which may also be used in the same relations as that already described. In the form of channel shown in Fig. 8 the middle portion of the strip is formed to provide a semi-cylindrically grooved guideway portion 28, which is adapted to receive the cylindrical portion 1 of a molding which is mounted on the bottom edge of the glass, and the 1 side portions 29 are bent reversely and extended towards each other, so that they overlap, the overlapping portions resting on the secured by screws, as 30, to the bottom of the casing groove.

In- Fig. 9, the form shown consists'of a strip of resilient metal having one edge portion adapted to form a flat foot-portion 31, which is secured to the bottom of the casing bottom of the groove in the casing, and being rabbehby means of nails or screws 32, at one side of the groove which is formed in the casin when the wood beading C is attached, the channel strip bein secured in position and the beading then being nailed on over the foot portion thereof. The middle portion of the strip is shaped to extend laterally across the casing groove and obliquely outward from the bottom thereof in a gradual curve, and then to extend reversely by a semi-cylindrical formation, forming a resilient supporting portion 33. The curvature is then reversed and extended thru a semi-circumference, the radius of which corresponds to the radius of the cylindrical portion 1 of the molding, to form as guideway portion 34, 'or outwardly facing trough, adapted to receive the-Oppomembers.

portion 34, the-strip is again bent reversely site half of the portion 1- from the clamping At the end of the semi-circular thru approximately a semi-circumference. It will be understood that while the portion 34 and the middle portion of the strip forming the clip are shown as semi-cylindrical, it is not necessary that they be exactly so formed and the relative formation must be 4 such that the molding will not wedge or bind pared with the others. When it is used, for

in the guide-ways, but will slide freely therein.

By means of this construction the guiding portion 34 is so supported that it may yield inward towards the bottom of the casing channel to a substantially greater extent than any of the previously described constructions, and for many reasons I consider the construction particularly desirable as comthe top edge of the plate in conjunction with the construction of Fig. 8, the plate may readily be placed in position by placing the upper side portion of the mold'ng, which will be held on the upper edge 0 the glass,

in position in the guiding portion 34, and then pressing the glass upward until the corresponding portion at the bottom may be pushed into the grooved portion 28.

As above indicated, however the construction shown .in Fig. 9; maybe advantageously employed as either a bottom channel or sup port, in lieu of the construction of Fig. 8, or as a side channel for guiding the glass vertically.

This construction is advantageous because 7 it is less expensive to manufacture than many of the other constructions and affords an effective cushioning support for the glass.

It is to be observed that, with all, or nearlypressed against the outer sides of the clip and thus thereof. v

While I have not attempted to illustrate all of the forms of my invention-of which I am aware, I have illustrated a sufiicient numher to indicate its scope'and the forms which I consider most desirable. I

I claim: 7

1? In combination with a slidable window glass plate and a window casing having oppositely disposed guide ways mounted therein, an edge molding for said plate consisting of a groove shaped strip of resilient sheet metal arranged to embrace the edge portion of the plate throughout its length and to provide oppositely disposed clamping members and an intermediate resilient portion for holding said members engaged with the sides of the plate, said resilient portion comprising a cylindrically shaped portion at the middle of the strip and an inwardly curved portion, forming oppositely disposed transversely concave external grooves between said cylindrically shaped portion and said clamping members, said guide ways having correspondingly formed faces slid-ably engaged with the surfaces of said resilient portion to guide the sheet in its sliding movements.

2. In combination with a slidable window glass plate and a window casinghaving op reinforce the resilient action positely disposed guide ways mounted therein, an edge molding for said plate consisting of a groove shaped strip of resilient sheet metal arranged to embrace the edge portion of the plate throughout its length and to provide oppositely disposed clamping members and an intermediate resilient portion for holding said members engaged with the sides of the plate, said resilient portion comprising a main portion-at the middle of the strip said main portion having transversely convex sur-- faces at each side and 1- relatively narrow neck portion between said main portion and said members and having concave surfaces which are continuous with the surfaces of said main portion, said guide ways having concave face portions arranged to engage the surface of said main portion at opposite sides of the middle plane of the molding and slidably engaged therewith to guide the plate in itssliding movements.

3. An edge molding for the guideways ofa sliding window glass plate consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal bent in groove form to provide elongated clamping portions at its edges for the opposite sides of the plate and an intermediate resilient portion for holding said clamping portions in engagement therewith and adapted for sliding engagement with the guide ways; said intermediate portion extending oppositely from the middle of the strip in directions which diverge, then converge into proximity, forming a main spring portion, then diverge forming exteri r grooves and interior abutments for the edge of the glass and then converge to form said clamping portions.

4. A molding for the edge portion of a window glass plate comprising a strip of resilient sheet metal having its edge portions shaped to provide elongated clamping members and having an intermediate cylindrically shaped spring portion for holding said members in engagement with the sides of the plate and inwardly curved portions intermediate said spring and said members forming oppositely disposed parallel grooves and internal abutments for the edge of the plate, the portions forming said abutments being normally inclined to a line perpendicular to the middle plane of the molding and arranged to be swung towards said line in predetermined proportion to the extent to which the clamping members are separated.

5; A molding for the edge portion of a sliding window glass plate consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal bent in transverse U- form to provide an intermediate guidingconvergently into proximity and then divergently in externally concave curves to form an external longitudinal groove and'an internal abutment for the edge of the plate in each side, the edge portions of the strip being extended in reverse curves from the adjacent diverging portions to form converging clamping members for the opposite sides of the plate.

6. In combination with a window casing having a groove and a windowglass plate slidable therein, a guide therefor consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal having one edge portion forming a base and attachedto the casing at. the bottom of said groove and having a resilient supportingportion extending obliquely outward from the bottom at one si e of the groove, into proximity to the opposite side thereof, then reversely inward and towards the middle of the groove and then outwardly and towards the side from which said supporting portion extends, to form an inwardly and laterally yieldable guide groove portion in which the edge portion of the plate is slidably mounted.

7. In combination with a window casing having a groove and a window glass plate slidable therein, a guide therefor consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal having one edge portion forming a base and attached to the casing at the bottom of said oove and havin a resilient supporting portion extending obliquely outward from the bottom at one side of the opposite side t ereof, .and out of contact ve, into proximity to the wardly and laterally yieldable guide groove portion in which the edge portion of the plate is slidably mounted.

8. In combination with a window casing having a. groove and a. window glass plate slidable therein, a guide therefor consisting concave guide groove for the plate in its sliding movement adapted to yield inwardly and laterally.

9. In combination with a window casing having a groove and a window glass plate slidable therein, a guide therefor consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal having one edge portion forming a base, attached to the bottom of said groove and having a resilient supporting portion formed .to extend obliquely outward from said base at one side of the groove towards the opposite side thereof, then semi-circularly inward, and then reversely and semi-circularly to provide an outwardly opening guide groove at the middle of the casin groove, and an inwardly and laterally yieldable guiding support in which the plate slidably mounte v 10. In combination with a window casing having a groove and a window glass plate slidable therein, guidin means for said plate, consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal having a base portion adapted for attachment to the bottom of said groove and having a resilient supporting portion formed to extend obliquely outward from said base at one side of the groove towards the opposite side thereof, then reversely inwardly and obliquely towards and across the middle of said groove, and then outward to provide an out wardly opening ide groove, and a sheet metal strip e'xten ing transversely about the edge portion of the plate and having an intermediate resilient portion for holding its edge portions engaged with the sides of the plate and ada ted to fit in said casing groove and to slide t erein.

11. In combination with a window casing havin a groove and a window glass plate slidab e-therein, a guide therefor consisting of a strip of resilient sheet metal bent transversely to provide a foot portion adapted for attachment to the bottom of the groove and toextend longitudinally thereof and having a resilient supporting portion curved outwardly to extend obliquely from said foot at one side of the groove towards the opposite side thereof then extending semi-circularly inward, an through reversely and semi circularly outward, forming an outwardly opening groove in the middle of the casing groove, and a metal strip embracing an .edge portion of the plate and havin an intermediate semi-cylindrically shape resilient portion for holding its edge portions in engagement with the sides of the plate and slidably fitted in said casing groove.

- elongated transversely U-form resilient metal str p having an externally convex intermediate portion disposed between said sides in longitudinal slidable engagement therewith and having its edge portions arranged for engagement with the opposite sides of the glass, to clamp the same therebetween by the resilient action of its said intermediateportion reinforced by that of the sides of said guide.

' 13. In combination with a window glass casing, a channel form guide mounted therein and having resilient sides normally extending convergently from its base portion, and an edge molding for the glass consisting of an elongated, transversely U-forin resilient metal strip having an externally convex middle portion disposed between the sides of said guide in sliding engagement therewith, and resiliently engaged thereby the sides of said neeepse molding having intermediate concave portions and normally convergent edge portions held in clamping engagement with the opposite sides of the glass.

14. An edge molding for a window lass consisting of an elongated U-form resilient metal strip shaped transversely to provide an exteriorally convex middle portion having its sides curved to extend convergently into proximity and then divergently to form outwardly facing seating surfaces for the edge of the glass placed therebetween and then convergently to form edge portions arranged to be held in engagement with the opposite sides of the glass y the resilient action of said middle portion and sides.

15. An edge molding for a window lass consisting of an elongated U- form resi ient metal strip shaped transversely to provide a cylindrically formed middle portion having opposite portions thereof extended into proximity and reversely curved and extended divergently to form outwardlyfacing surfaces for engagement with the edge of the glass and having the edge portions thereof arranged to be held in engagement with the opposite sides of the glass by the resilient action of the other portions of the strip.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWIN W. M. BAILEY. 

